Moving from Aurora, IL to Chicago, IL
The drive from Aurora to Chicago covers 39 mi in about 57 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
39 mi Β· 57 min by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | IL 110, I 88, I 290 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Aurora (103.595) and Chicago (103.595) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $316,958 vs $317,283 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.36 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $90,109 in Aurora vs $75,134 in Chicago.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 16.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 0.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chicago, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via IL 110 and I 88. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Chicago, IL.